Hi there.
Batman Inc. is my favorite monthly book. I've been following it since it started with Volume 1 and even before that with Morrison's continuing Batman work.
The reason I enjoy it so much is because it shows what would happen if Batman treated the entire world the way he treats Gotham City. He is no longer restricted to just jumping off rooftops and beating up the same bunch of clowns. Now he can be anywhere, in any part of the world, at any time. Not everyone in Inc. is Bruce Wayne but they all have his personal stamp of approval.
I agree that Batman being that closely linked to Bruce Wayne might erode some of the latter's plausible deniability, but that does not bother me. I never really cared if anyone thought that Batman was Bruce Wayne. Plus, if you are the average citizen, you know Batman has access to some incredible technology. Why wouldn't you think that Wayne was in some way behind it?
Morrison's entire run has been about expanding the Bat Family. Bruce's parents died when he was very young and he was not raised with any siblings. It makes sense to me that a man like that would want to hang out with people. Alfred is great to Bruce but Bruce would want friends and Batman would want allies. Robin, Batgirl, and Commissioner Gordon have always helped Batman and they have been the reason for his success.
Batman Inc. is taking that idea global. Think of El Gaucho, Wingman, and Mister Unknown just as you would James Gordon or Oracle. They simply help Batman defeat crime wherever it rears its ugly head.
Also, the idea of an International League of Batmen is cool because it means that a writer can create a Batman anywhere he wants. Imagine a Batman of Gorilla City or of Armagetto (Apokolips). Or, heck, even some random home town of a lucky fan. The villain that Batman was incorporated to fight was Leviathan a villain that has been established to exist everywhere in every form. It lends itself to so many exciting stories!
Hopes this help shed some light. Either way you should check out these designs of potential Batman Inc. characters by artist Dennis Culver (“Edison Rex”):
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5299/5455890134_1b0bc93843_o.jpg
Log in to comment